Thomas H. Dixon III

1948 - 2022

Thomas H. Dixon III passed away on November 22, 2022. He was the proud father of Tom Dixon (Christine) of Phoenix, Maryland and Jaclyn Hartman (Robert) of Millersville, Maryland and loving husband and lifelong friend to Judy Dixon of Millersville, Maryland. His memory lives on through his brother, George Dixon (Bonnie) of Frederick, Maryland and his sister, Christy Puglisi (Tony) of Gambrills, Maryland and countless friends and family. He is reunited with his parents, Tom and Irene Dixon; Judy's parents, who were like his own, Dan and JoAnn Courtney; his sister, Diane Cornwell (Jack); his brother, Bill Dixon; his long-time friend and fishing buddy, Charles "Bob" Mackinson (Judy), and many other friends and family. Tom loved his family and friends deeply and was always willing to help them. Tom devoted his life to building people and communities through public service. After spending a few years working in the family business, Dixon Electric Co., Tom served the people of Maryland through nearly 35 years of State service, including 31 years at the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund. Prior to his retirement, he was the Associate Director of Human Resources and Administration at MAIF, served for several years on the Anne Arundel County Personnel Board, and served as chairman of the Agency Personnel Managers Group. Human resources was not just a career choice for Tom, it was a way of life. He utilized the qualities learned on the job - strong leadership, good communication, problem-solving, being people-focused, and building consensus - in all parts of his life. Tom was a lifelong resident of Anne Arundel County was very civic-minded. He spent more than 15 years as President of the Village of Olde Mill Community Association, was a founding member of the Greater Ferndale Community Civic Association, former President of the Rippling Woods Parent Teachers Association, former Little League coach, member of the Glen Burnie Improvement Association, and member of several other community organizations. He volunteered his time to events like the Special Olympics, the Big Glen Burnie Carnival, and the Navy football concessions program. Tom served the people of Anne Arundel County as a former Chair of the Democratic Central Committee and continued to be a strong advocate for the Democratic Party throughout his life. He served the District 32 Democratic Club for more than two decades in numerous positions, most recently as President Emeritus, and was awarded the Club's Unsung Hero award in 2011. He was an active member of numerous local Democratic clubs and helped many candidates and elected officials with networking, strategy, fundraising, and campaign efforts. Tom cherished his position as an official helper to Santa Claus and assisted the Glen Burnie VFD with Santa rides through the Olde Mill and Fox Chase communities, as well as annual home visits to many families in Olde Mill and beyond. Tom visited some families year after year and became as much a part of their family Christmas tradition as putting up the tree. His longest running annual stop was to a family he first visited when their child was born - and continued every year until she turned 20. When not helping others, Tom enjoyed fishing, watching the Ravens and Orioles, and playing softball. Most Sundays you could find Tom at Sunset Restaurant watching the Ravens with friends. Despite more than 40 years playing baseball and softball and many championships, Tom's favorite softball memories were playing alongside his son in the Olde Mill Adult Slow Pitch League. Tom was a proud member of the first baseball team (1965) and first graduating class of Cardinal Gibbons High School (Class of 1966) and built lifelong friendships with his classmates. He went on to earn a Bachelor's degree from the University of Baltimore. Per Tom's wishes, the celebration of his life will be a happy occasion with good friends, good food, and good memories. It will take place on December 11, 2022, at the American Legion Dewey Lowman Post 109, 1610 Sulphur Spring Road in Halethorpe, Maryland. Please feel free to stop by any time between 1 and 5 p.m. for fellowship with Tom's family and friends. In honor of Tom's many years as a Santa's helper, in lieu of flowers, please bring a new, unwrapped toy or monetary donation for Toys for Tots to his celebration of life or think of him when making a toy or monetary donation at any Toys for Tots event this holiday season.